Point of View

This novel is told in first person from Shabanu's point of view. Shabanu is the character who has the greatest change to go through as she grows from child to adult, from self-centered to willing to sacrifice for others, and from not understanding how the world works and considering it unfair to understanding that fairness is not part of the bargain. Shabanu has the greatest conflict, the internal one of how to be a good submissive daughter and future wife when her own nature is rebellious and free-spirited. She is the one who has to learn what matters to her and what she is willing to do.

This novel is told in first person; in other words, as if Shabanu herself is telling it. Another option would have been to use third person. There are many valid reasons for using one or the other, but because...